A Day of Iconic Paris: Montparnasse, Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower & Seine Cruise
After a restful night at Hôtel Le Sénat and a breakfast in the cozy hotel dining room, we geared up for a full day of exploring some of Paris’s most iconic sights. The city was buzzing with energy as Paris Saint-Germain was playing with hopes of claiming their first Champions League title!
Morning: Montparnasse Tower Observatory
Our first stop was the Montparnasse Tower Observatory, where we ascended to one of the highest vantage points in Paris. From the 56th floor, panoramic views stretch across the city’s rooftops, monuments, and the winding Seine River. It was the perfect spot to get our bearings and snap some breathtaking photos—including a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower framed against the Paris skyline.
 |
| Loving Paris |
 |
| Eiffel Tower from this tower |
 |
| Panoramic view from the top |
 |
| View of Notre Dame |
 |
| Looking back to the tower (on left) with an angled street/building |
Midday: Cathedral Notre-Dame & Crypt with Guided Neighborhood Tour
Next, we visited the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a symbol of Parisian history. Our guided tour will take around this magnificent cathedral, where we’ll admire its soaring architecture and learn about its neighborhood.
 |
| The view from below |
 |
| Corner of tower |
 |
| The gargoyles are actually part of the gutter system and water flows out of their mouths |
Following the cathedral, we’ll explore the Archaeological Crypt beneath Notre-Dame, uncovering the ancient Roman and medieval ruins that lie beneath the modern city streets. This fascinating glimpse into Paris’s past will be complemented by a guided neighborhood walk through the historic Île de la Cité and surrounding quarters, where charming streets, cafés, and hidden gems await discovery.
Afternoon & Evening: Eiffel Tower Tour & Seine River Cruise
We traveled to the Seine River at the base of the Eiffel Tower where we boarded a Seine River cruise, drifting past bridges, historic buildings, and riverside landmarks as the city was alive with soccer fans. This relaxing cruise offered a unique perspective on Paris.
 |
| Heading up the Seine |
 |
| Selfie going under a bridge |
 |
| Pont Alexandre III Bridge |
 |
| The full view of the Eiffel Tower from the Seine |
 |
| From the boat. |
 |
| Pickleball with a view |
Our grand finale for the day is a visit to the world-famous Eiffel Tower. We’ll ascend this iconic landmark, taking in the spectacular views from its observation decks. Whether you’re spotting landmarks or simply soaking in the Parisian atmosphere, the Eiffel Tower never fails to impress. Extra bonus was that everyone the Paris soccer team scored, they lit up the Tower.
 |
| Palais de Chaillot |
 |
| Found a Remnant of the Olympics |
 |
| Panoramic View |
 |
| Sun setting over Paris |
 |
| Looking up to the top of the tower |
 |
| Looking out on Paris |
 |
| The view from the observation deck |
 |
| Toni coming down the steps |
 |
| The tower turned Red and Blue |
 |
| Eiffel Tower in the France Colors |
Along with Tower lighting up when they scored, there was fireworks going up in some areas.
With all the celebrations, getting a ride share was a problem. I could try to explain but one our friend, Lisa, posted this and explains it better than I could.
"As soon as it gets dark, the Eiffel Tower’s golden lighting switches on automatically within less than 10 minutes, thanks to light-sensitive twilight sensors.
These lights are both for aesthetic and safety purposes since they light the route for visitors and ensure the proper operation of the monument at night.
Tonight was a little bit different. There was a big soccer match and Paris won. So the Eiffel Tower closed early. And then, at 10pm, it was drenched in red and blue. We waited for the sparkling lights, but nothing happened. Part of our group got a Bolt (like Uber) and went back to the hotel. The Bolt I was supposed to ride in canceled, as did several others. So we were there for a while, trying to find another ride back to the hotel. There were tons of fans cheering in the streets. And then, a really big cheer. The Tower started sparkling! Good thing that first Bolt canceled or we would have missed it. We ended up taking an Uber, and our driver advised us to stay home the rest of the night. The streets were crazy and there were fans singing and cheering and spilling out of all the cafes and bars."
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update as we continue our unforgettable journey through Paris and beyond!
Comments
Post a Comment